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Title: Novel synthesis of plasmonic Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl nanocomposite with enhanced visible light photocatalytic property

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin

Highlights: • Stable Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag/AgCl composite is prepared by an easy-completing method for the first time. • The Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag/AgCl composite has remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. • The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to enhanced visible-light absorption and high separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs. • The possible mechanism of photocatalysis enhancement is investigated and illustrated. - Abstract: We report a novel Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl photocatalysts with excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties. The crystalline Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 550 °C. Then Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl was prepared using deposition-precipitation technique followed by photo-reduction of partial Ag{sup +} to Ag{sup 0} nanoparticles on surface of AgCl. The photocatalysis were evaluated by degrading organic dyes under controlled conditions. The Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl composite exhibited a much improved photocatalysis, approximately 7 times stronger than that of pure Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}, primarily due to its enhanced visible-light absorption and high separation efficiency of charge. On the basis of band structure analysis, a possible mechanism of photocatalysis enhancement for Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl is proposed. The strong photocatalytic capability, together with simplicity of fabrication suggests Bi{sub 2}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7}/Ag-AgCl composite provided in this study may have certain practical applications in water treatments. Additionally, the study implies a novel but simple methodology that may be also applicable in construction of other types of single semiconductor/plasmonic composite photocatalysts.

OSTI ID:
22730462
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 95; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English